Collective network refers to the gathering of different layers of connections that each local shop owner brings to a shotengai . Through their own personal experience, the owners bring to their shops unique products with an added value to it. In this sense, a shotengai behave as a series of entrances to different networks that leads the customer to narratives that they cannot experience in large-scale retailers. This paper presents a methodology to understand the collective network of the shops applied in Shoin Jinja shotengai .

De-institution refers to social and architectural practices which provide alternatives to institution-and industry-centered models. It engages with the potential of communities by recognizing common behaviors, local resources, and their spatial manifestation. The concept of de-institution practically interprets the ideas of the philosopher Ivan Illich, and is incidentally discovered in the work of architecture collectives around the world. This paper reports on the social framework, design and construction process of Lakeside Dancers Club as a case of a de-institutionalized club. It aims to elaborate on the architectural challenges and their creative solutions to building a dancing space with social impact.